I've blogged on the controversial topic of Women Bishops a bit before, on the topic in general, and the results of the 'no' vote at last years Synod. I find it to be a fascinating topic, hence my lengthy Reading List on Women in Leadership, and today's book review is Maggi Dawn's "Like the Wideness of the Sea: Women Bishops and the Church of England". Maggi is someone I have followed on Twitter for a long time, and whilst I don't always agree with everything she tweets/shares, she is one of the most reasonable people that I have followed over time, and consistently insightful and interesting.
It is worth noting at the outset that this is a very short book. Definitely not a pamphlet, but at under 80 pages of writing (D.L.T. pad out their smaller books with adverts apparently) it is something that anyone interested could read. Dawn offers us an introduction, three chapters, and a conclusion.
The first chapter, "A Theological Impasse" is probably the most helpful piece of the book. Noting throughout that she is not trying to re-hash the old arguments, Dawn is well-versed in the origins and state of the current debate. It is fascinating and encouraging to me as a non-Anglican onlooker that Dawn notes, in the sense of 'the process of reception", that the process was intended to be "a way to move forward on an issue over which opinion is divided, allowing for a provisional decision to be made and acted on... until such time as the Church reaches a consensus... to ratify or rescind that decision". This is a fascinating fact about the process that I was utterly unaware of! Dawn also observes that "at some point in the last twenty years it seems that the Church allowed theological debate and spiritual discernment to give way to a kind of pragmatic approach that attempts to keep everyone happy. The fact is, though, that no one is happy".
The first chapter closes with a challenging but clear summary of the theological situation; "Either we must affirm women as priests, including some as bishops, or not. Yes cannot equal no". This changes the nature of the conversation somewhat, and for my conservative evangelical friends, means a very different conversation has to be had internally. I think this first chapter is almost worth the price of admission, and whilst not being a contribution to the debate, it is a helpful and fascinating summary of it.
The second chapter of this book, "A Dream Deferred", offers some powerful thoughts about waiting. With the obvious fact that she is a senior and talented ordained women implicit to her writing, Dawn offers a helpful look at what we think we are doing when 'waiting', and what happens when we (As we so often do) over-spiritualise it. There is a helpful discussion, too, of gender stereotypes and expectations, before moving into an interesting set of thoughts on the idea that "God waits for us". Dawn uses a number of bible passages and characters to suggest that such a model might be helpful. At the close of this chapter her opinion - regardless of the reader's views (Which is why I love books!) is clear; "the time has come to stop covering over this turgid and depressing spectacle with a misguided call to wait for God's time and admit that God is waiting for us".
The final chapter, before the conclusion, is suitably titled "A Personal Story". It is befitting, in this slim book that touches on theology and biblical/spiritual disciplines, that the story be included. Stories are important - hence my sharing of a Guest Post: Laura's Story - but they are not, in my opinion, absolute. But, in order to dialogue and understand, we must listen. So readers should appreciate the story here, and reflect on it. And this is a particularly interesting, and also relevant, story. As an aside, it is sad to read that the conservative view so often existed in Dawn's experience as snide remarks and ad hominem comments, rather than loving theology...
The conclusion to this book echoes the careful thought throughout. Dawn observes, I believe rightly, that "The way out of the impasse is going to cause some pain. Some people are not going to get what they want, but perhaps it's time to admit that is unavoidable whether we change or stand still". The conclusion, interwoven (As is the rest of the book) with poetic quotation, is clearly one that loves and values the Church of England.
As I have vaguely hinted at throughout this review, this isn't a book that seeks to change your mind, but instead a book that tells you what is going on, what it means to the people at the centre of it, and what the future might hold. In being that kind of book, rather than the former, I think it actually makes for a very helpful book for the pro-women's ordination side, but in a way that somewhat goes against some elements of recent campaigns. I would thoroughly recommend 'Like the Wideness of the Sea', not because I agree 100% with it, but because it models Christian discussion, and is a one of the best written books I've read recently.
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Great review.
ReplyDeleteCan you unpack what she says on 'Either we must affirm women as priests, including some as bishops, or not. Yes cannot equal no.'
Although this seems common sense, it does go against the flow of what the Anglican Church is (an ecumenical coalition). Is she saying that there is only space in the Anglican Church (in England) for one view on women bishops.
Of course, the reason the motion fell last time precisely because it seemed to lead to a situation where one view would have the status of institutional hegemony. For that reason, many on favour of women bishops voted against the motion.
Does she give any vision for how 'theological debate and spiritual discernment' can be resurrected in English Anglican communion?
Thanks for the comment JM! Apologies for taking so long to get back to you.
DeleteShe basically observes that there is nonsense in the current view, so she would rather monolithic honesty reign than the current fudging.
Not particularly, the instruments are already there, the C of E just needs to play them.